April 1

The next big free update is coming! Join the WazHack 1.3 Open Beta to get a preview!

I won't spoil things here by going into detail of all the stuff that's new - I'll leave you to explore, as there are lots of new features, new details, and a couple of entirely new game mechanics!

On the purely technical side of things, this version is ported to an updated graphics engine version (Unity 5). The big benefit from that on PC is that Cloth physics, last seen in version 1.0, has finally been brought back - hair and cloth effects are now active (can be turned off in Options/Graphics/Softbodies if they cause any problems).

To access the beta, right click on "WazHack" in your Steam games list, choose "Properties", then go to the "BETAS" tab and choose "1.3beta1". The game will update and you'll have it!

The beta is a good time to report any minor inconsistencies you stumble across - when you do X because you thought Y, but nothing happened. Some of these can be done fairly easily, whereas after the beta I tend to just fix actual bugs. At least one of the game mechanics still definitely needs some balancing, but feel free to comment on anything - positively or negatively.

Please report bugs and other issues here and/or via the menu option. I will be posting frequent updates to the build as bugs are fixed. If I need to break savefile compatibility and you load a character, you'll get a notice to switch to the previous beta (same process). You cannot load savefiles from version 1.2 (you'll need to go back to the Default release to finish those).

Betas for the web demo and other platforms will commence later in the process.

I hope you enjoy the free update, and thanks for your support over the last year of the Steam release!

About This Game

Time moves forward only when you do in the dungeons of WazHack, so you can take your time to solve problems instead of just spamming 'attack' and 'drink healing potion'.

With over 300 unique items to be found, you will invent your own solutions to sticky situations. With over 150 different monsters, many with unusual attacks, you will find plenty of sticky situations!

The procedurally-generated dungeon and vast array of possible items gives immense replay value. Some games you'll find a good weapon early, other times you'll rely on wands or potions or spells.

You don't see it much in the all-action video above, but some of the most fun is had just standing still trying to work out how to get out of a sticky situation. Should you try that unknown potion? Maybe it's Healing? What about that wand? Maybe it's Magic Missile... or maybe it's a Wand of Create Monster, and it'll get even stickier!

You start with your choice from 16 character classes, each with different starting equipment, stats, belief system, and available talents. The game you play also depends very much on what interesting loot you find. Maybe you'll find a great spellbook and put all your efforts into turning your uneducated knight into a master battle mage!

System Requirements

Windows

Mac OS X

SteamOS + Linux

Minimum:

OS: Windows XP SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8

Processor: 2GHz

Memory: 512 MB RAM

Graphics: Any 3D Graphics Card

DirectX: Version 7.0

Hard Drive: 100 MB available space

Additional Notes: Turn down resolution and settings on Integrated GPUs.

I love it!I've known it existed for ages, and presumably dismissed it, including when on sale. I picked it up in a recent weekly sale on a whim, and I'm glad I did.

I find there is something charming about the graphics, it reminds me of 90's prerendered 3D sprites or something, and has some cute item physics and corpse ragdoll.Sound effects are adequate, although the small amount of music quickly led me to turning it off.The mobile version is also surprisingly good and controls well, and you can play the first few levels for free if you insist on trying it before you buy.

But the most important thing is the gameplay, randomisation and discovery, and that's where it shines as a true rogue-like. At first you have no idea how to deal with all the different items, but with each run you learn a bit more, and discover a little more of the hidden attributes, details and interactions. Sometimes I find this kind of hidden information frustrating, but so far in WazHack the discovery and new possibilities you learn has been really fun.

I'm informed that WazHack takes a lot of inspiration from NetHack, and while I've played various rogue-likes, and a lot of Angband (which I finally beat recently), I never really played NetHack. I like WazHack enough that I'm thinking I probably should have played NetHack more, but for now I expect to enjoy a lot more hours in WazHack.

This is a fun game. It has that one more try thing to it BIG TIME. Addictingly funny. Comparing this to real life would be opening the door and punching your neighbor in the face. Then going to the next house.

I've played this game more than any other I own. More than Kerbal Space Program, even. I love it!

It takes Rogue, turns it into a 2D side-scroller, and does an amazing job of it. It'll even make you laugh sometimes, even though it mercilessly kills you over and over again. I think I played for 100 hours before getting past 1000 ft. 300 before seeing claiming the Amulet of Zaw, and another 100 before I could actually bring it back to the surface. I don't think I've ever better spent money on a game.

I havent had this much fun since 1989. So after many hours I took down the end boss. I thought it will now be easy to get back to the top. Well, all of hell came down on me. My heart was pounding after all my heal potions were gone and I was left with little health to make it out. With an epic dash I got out for the win. Whats the big deal some might say. The big deal is that you can invest 6hrs in the game only to lose it all. There is no old save to fall back on. Its old school perma death. Aside from the main quest and the chance of dying a few hundred times the game has many cool extras. Such as the chance to find epic loot like the classic Excaliber or some good old +3boots of speed. There are also a few optional bosses as well, like the God of Wine or the Gnome King, each with their own side dungeon. Not to mention the fact that you can also have your brain sucked out by a mindflayer!!! Great Game!!!

A challenging game that quite obviously resembles Nethack, but this is fine; the game is its own entity, using its 2.5d design to its advantage and adding genuinely unique and fun aspects that you won't find in any other roguelike. Certainly better than Vulture, even though it's seven dollars more (Vulture is supposed to be free, people, don't buy that piece of ♥♥♥♥ from Steam. Waz has said on the WazHack subreddit that he has update 1.3 slated for April with a bunch of sweet features, can't wait! Can't recommend this enough. Wait for a sale if you must, but I believe that $10 is a perfectly fine price to ask for for the amount of content and fun that you're getting. Perfect if you're getting bored of Dungeons of Dredmor (another game I highly recommend) and/or want a bigger challenge.